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Israeli elections: The 5 candidates steering the debate

Israeli elections will be held Jan. 22.

5. Tzipi Livni, strong proponent of Israeli-Palestinian peace

Nir Elias/Reuters/File
Former centrist Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni holds a news conference in Tel Aviv, in this November 2012 file photo.

  • By Chelsea B. Sheasley Contributor

Tzipi Livni, Israel’s former foreign minister, is one of the most experienced candidates in the field. She is also one of the most outspoken of the top candidates about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Her center-left Hatnuah party (which translates to the Movement) aims to focus on the peace process while still appearing strong on security. 

Livni, who was a part of the centrist Kadima party before forming Hatnuah, successfully wooed former defense minister Amir Peretz away from his top position in the Labor party. He defected with another top Labor politician and seven Kadima parliament members out of frustration that their parties no longer emphasize the peace process.

But despite being one of the most experienced and internationally recognized Israeli politicians, Livni has slipped in the polls. Most analysts expect her party to win five to nine seats, which could still earn her a ministerial post if she chooses to join a likely Netanyahu coalition.

Something of a political chameleon, Livni started politics in Likud before joining Kadima, a party started by former prime minister Ariel Sharon in 2005. Livni later became head of Kadima and had a chance to become prime minister in 2009 when her party won the most seats in the election. But she was unable to form a coalition government, forfeiting the post and paving the way for Netanyahu’s second term.

Livni told Israel Radio on Jan. 13 that she would consider joining a Netanyahu government if it engages in “a real peace process and not just give negotiations lip service.”

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Mark Sappenfield
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